It's a dark time for all lovers of Oakland's Dark Beach. After five years of crafting gloomy-yet-fun tunes while exploring their mutual love of mermaids and mythical creatures, the duo of Melissa Dale and Faith Gardner have announced they're playing their final show as Dark Beach this Friday.

Dark Beach as a musical collaboration was born in 2011, after Dale, who was drumming for Sweet Nothing, and Gardner, a guitarist in Hooray for Everything, struck up a kinship on seeing each other at local shows and wanting to start up something new. Gardner says they bonded over '90s riot grrrl music and mermaids, and from there, the band was born. Their most recent release was the Ouija EP this year, which delves into themes of dark myths and the heroine figures that become prominent symbols of the genre. From Greek goddess Persephone's lamenting of Hades in "Persephone" to accounts of being stalked by a female "Banshee," Dark Beach weaves mythic stories with noisy, lo-fi swagger. As we inch (or really, gallop headlong it seems) into October, it couldn't be a more perfect listen.

What feels so unique and real about Dark Beach is that they have an influence and angle to their music that they unabashedly believe in. When we chatted with them back in February, they gushed about specific bits and pieces of pop culture that inspired everything they do in Dark Beach. "I love female characters who are sympathetic monsters or outsiders," Gardner puts forth as she names The Little Mermaid to "Rappaccini's Daughter" and even Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, while Dale was into seances, tarot cards, and playing Bloody Mary. From a music video featuring clips from The Beach Girls and the Monster to bringing to life a "Girl in the Bog," they fully celebrate literally and figuratively larger-than-life figures.

Though there's plenty of mythical escapism present in their music, they also try to bring it back to the roots of reality. Each song takes a character that's often historically maligned and tells the "story from her point of view while using them as metaphors for real-life issues women face." For this magical balance of fun and levity, noisy musical cushions and sharp-shooting melodies, moody creatures and a charming point of view, Dark Beach are a band that will most assuredly be missed in the East Bay scene.

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Hailey is a recent Cal grad and full-time cat & music lover. When she's not writing words for The Bay Bridged, you can find her spinning tunes on KALX Radio or downing copious amounts of Philz coffee. Follow her on Twitter @hailey117.

One Comment

They will absolutely be much missed.
All the stuff I love about the Wipers, Cramps and B-52s in one package.
I’m glad we get one last hurrah with them.
I specifically asked them to open because I like them so much.

Also:
local legends Porch and Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends (first Oakland club show *EVER* and 16 year bay area touring vet [Replicator, Mount Vicious, Victory and Associates]) are also playing.

Founded in 2006, The Bay Bridged is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization utilizing new media and presenting live events to support the San Francisco Bay Area’s indie rock, folk, and pop music communities. Our mission is to maintain a dedicated public education campaign to encourage public appreciation of San Francisco Bay Area independent music and to provide unique opportunities for local musicians to perform, receive exposure, collaborate,
and create original works.